Xiao Jinheng took in her subtle expressions, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Your Eminence, you have been to the palace before. You should know the heavy burden and responsibility on a Crown Prince's shoulders. The court is currently facing internal strife and external threats, our national strength is weakening, and His Majesty is advanced in years, finding himself increasingly unable to handle certain matters..."
"If I were to remain idle and neglect my duties, I would be unworthy of ascending the throne and bringing fortune to the people!"
He felt that Consort Hui's words were problematic. Though not old, he should have long been sharing His Majesty's burdens and resolving the court's internal affairs...
Consort Hui chuckled dryly upon hearing this. "Heng'er, why are you acting so strangely today? You're saying things I don't understand. Did you come here just to ask if I was colluding with Lord Huang?"
Since it had come to this, there was no need to hide anything. Wouldn't it be better to speak openly?
"Your Eminence's thoughts are indeed correct..."
Xiao Jinheng nodded gently, correcting her. "However, I did not come here to interrogate you, but to observe your attitude in answering questions. Since Your Eminence does not know Lord Huang, I have nothing more to ask..."
With that, Xiao Jinheng walked to the door without looking back, his back to Consort Hui. "If Your Eminence remembers anything, you can find me at the Yun Residence in the capital anytime. I will prepare the most delicious vegetarian dishes in the world for you!"
The unspoken meaning was that the vegetarian meals at their nunnery were too unpalatable. Even if one was merely pretending, one shouldn't mistreat oneself...
Consort Hui's lips twitched violently upon hearing this. "That might disappoint you, Heng'er!"
Hmph, if they thought they could pry information from her, they were dreaming.
Xiao Jinheng couldn't see Consort Hui's expression, but he didn't need to guess to know that the woman was undoubtedly glaring at him...
Fine, there was no point in asking further. Xiao Jinheng sighed and stepped over the threshold, heading directly to find Xiao Xitian.
"Your Highness, are you... alright?"
After Xiao Jinheng left, Nanny Xing hurried into the reception hall, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe away Consort Hui's sweat.
Consort Hui let out a cold snort and pushed away Nanny Xing's hand. "Do I look alright? This Xiao Jinheng, after all these years, has actually started investigating me. He's quite astute..."
"Your Highness!" Nanny Xing glanced towards the door and lowered her voice. "Didn't you anticipate that His Highness the Crown Prince would come to see you? He has his strategies, and we have our countermeasures. You needn't worry too much!"
With Your Highness's intelligence, wisdom, and methods, if she couldn't even deal with a mere Crown Prince, what would be the point of all her schemes?
Consort Hui hummed and narrowed her eyes. "Of course, I'm not worried. Rather, I find the Crown Prince rather interesting. Since he wants to investigate thoroughly, I don't mind playing along with him..."
After speaking, Consort Hui instructed Nanny Xing, "Be vigilant recently. Do not reveal any clues in your actions!"
Caution is the parent of safety. With the current sensitive situation, she didn't want to reveal her identity prematurely.
"Understood, Your Highness..."
At the same time, on the carriage returning to the city.
Little Monk Jie Kong held a piece of dark roasted corn and gnawed on it with relish. "This is delicious! Xiao, I never knew you had such skills..."
That's right, all the corn today was roasted by Xiao Jinheng himself.
He had learned this skill when he first went to Dashui Village, primarily to entice the village children to play with him...
Xiao Jinheng was contemplating the case, ignoring the little monk, and instead looked at Xiao Xitian. "Xitian, do you think Consort Hui's words are trustworthy?"
"Of course not!"
Xiao Xitian rolled her eyes and sighed. "When I came out just now, I specifically went to the kitchen. Good heavens, they were raising large green prawns in a water bucket and soaking top-grade beef ribs in basins. There was every kind of meat imaginable, like lamb legs, pork knuckles, and venison... Little Monk even found a dog's leg..."
"Since Consort Hui has renounced worldly affairs, why does she still prepare so much meat and dishes in the nunnery? Is she planning to eat it secretly herself, or is it prepared for someone else?"
Speaking of which, Xiao Xitian wrinkled her nose. "Hmph, the vegetarian meals they made for us were clear broth and water, difficult to swallow, yet she herself eats so well. How can she be considered a person of faith? She's clearly a glutton..."
At that time, Little Monk was stunned by the sight of all this meat, constantly chanting Amitabha.
"Xiao, you don't believe that vixen's nonsense, do you?"
Little Monk Jie Kong shot Xiao Jinheng a glance and pouted. "Let me tell you, she's an out-and-out liar. Every word she speaks is a lie. If you believe her, I'll look down on you for the rest of my life!"
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
Do I look that foolish?
The immediate priority is to inform His Majesty and urge him to be extra cautious, lest Consort Hui and Marquis Jingnan exploit any loopholes.
"Let's not create any further complications for now. I will make a decision after discussing it with His Majesty..." Xiao Jinheng closed his eyes and said calmly.
He feared that His Majesty still harbored affection for Consort Hui and would believe everything she said.
If that were the case, the investigation might not be able to proceed.
Xiao Xitian let out an "Oh" and said nothing, continuing to gnaw on the corn.
"Commander Kong!" Xiao Jinheng lifted the front curtain. "Did you find anything at the nunnery just now?"
While Xiao Jinheng and his party were conversing with Consort Hui, Kong Xingzhuo had specifically toured Fahua Nunnery to see if he could uncover any clues...
Kong Xingzhuo shook his head. "No. There are only Nanny Xing and Consort Hui in the nunnery, not even any visitors. Your subordinate believes that the nuns who were tipping off Huang Fulin must have been hidden by Consort Hui!"
Otherwise, how could there be no discoveries at all...
Xiao Jinheng raised his eyebrows upon hearing this. "It seems she intends to engage us in a protracted war. Commander Kong, take me to the palace. I need to see His Majesty!"
The matter was urgent and could not be delayed any further.
"Understood, Your Highness!"
At dusk, the carriage entered the imperial city and stopped in front of the palace gates...
Xiao Jinheng went into the palace alone. Xiao Xitian still had design drawings to work on, so she didn't accompany him.
Yun Residence.
Guan Zhongbo had just finished a bowl of wine and was dozing in a rocking chair in the back garden.
Gradually, his consciousness sank into a haze, surrounded by swirling mists...
The bewildered old Guan, unsure of what to do, suddenly saw a flash of white light before his eyes. Immediately after, a blinding glare dispersed the mist, leaving only a ball of light floating back and forth in front of Guan Zhongbo.
"Is... is that you?"